Decolonizing the Chinese Narrative on Uyghurs: The Mission of Sociologist Dilnur Reyhan

• Uyghur sociologist Dilnur Reyhan leads the European Uyghur Institute, which focuses on preserving Uyghur identity and advocacy in exile.
• Despite ongoing challenges, the organization has successfully campaigned for official recognition of the Uyghur genocide in countries like France.
• Diaspora communities face severe transnational repression from the Chinese state, leading to a culture of fear and silence.
• A core goal of the Institute is to reframe the conflict as one of colonialism rather than just human rights or "minority rights."
• The younger generation of Uyghur diaspora is increasingly active, progressive, and focused on innovative forms of activism and identity building.

Challenges of the Diaspora

• The Uyghur diaspora struggles with deep-seated mistrust and fear, exacerbated by China’s transnational repression and the threat of forced returns to China, such as the 2025 incident in Thailand.
• Historical and ongoing colonization by the Chinese state has created patriarchal norms within Uyghur institutions and inhibited collective action.
• Reyhan emphasizes that recognizing the "colonial relationship" between China and East Turkestan is essential for truly decolonizing narratives, both within the Uyghur community and for the Chinese public and diaspora.

Role of the European Uyghur Institute

• Founded in 2019 as an evolution of the Uyghur Student Association in France, the institute aims to provide a physical center for the community in Paris.
• The Institute is currently developing a multilingual web media project to reach young progressives in the Chinese diaspora, aiming to bridge cultural divides and challenge official Chinese narratives.
• In 2024, the Institute hosted the first International Secular Uyghur Youth Congress, which served as a landmark event for fostering collaboration among young Uyghurs globally to discuss feminism, artivism, and anti-racism.